Critical pedagogy encourages students to ask questions that challenge dominant narratives. Critical pedagogy has the power to democratize education acting as a tool of liberation. Paulo Freire, a leader in critical pedagogy, provides depth and understanding in his book Pedagogy of the Oppressed. I am interested in how critical pedagogy can be supported through a curriculum that focuses around imagination and creativity, as well as fosters a loving environment for the child to learn and feel a sense of belonging. I wrote a multiple perspective paper for one of my grad courses linked here that goes into greater detail.
Understanding that critical pedagogy is supported by inquisitive minds that ask questions to seek dynamic perspectives, I wonder how this can be nurtured in children in the earliest years, below are some suggestions.
Ask children to share their perspective. We are all unique in the ways that we take in and interpret information and stimuli, some of us interpret through emotions, intellect, our senses or a hybrid. Our unique ways of receiving inputs and making meaning is something to be celebrated as we can learn from each other.
Create an environment that allows for children to shape their own experience, activating their imagination and creativity. This could include incorporating open ended, neutral materials, free form play time, allowing children to make up and determine rules of the games that they play, and express themselves through the sharing of stories.
Invite the child to ask questions, share their thoughts, ideas and experiences. Teachers must be present to fully listen as the child is expressing themselves. Relationships based in trust and belonging are important to establish this connected communication with the child.
Establish the teacher as a responsive steward of learning, in other words, the teacher is not there to give commands and tell children what to do. The teacher establishes themselves as a source of supportive learning – a nurturing guide to help open doors and windows in the child’s mind and most importantly, provides space for the child to find and define their own meaning through their own learning experiences.
Critical pedagogy nurtures critical thinking by challenging dominant ideas and narratives. The natural curiosity of children to ask “why” is a strength to expand upon throughout life. By providing children with the space and freedom to engage in a supportive environment that fosters belonging, imagination, creativity, experience, and perspective, children can approach their learning from a place of empowerment.
Photo by Erik Odiin on Unsplash
Learning to Create. 